Voicemail

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Hi, you know who you reached. Leave your name, number, and a brief message with a good explanation of why you didn't just text like a normal person."

BEEP!

Comments

[single_man_tear]

Delivered to Arden in an envelope shoved under her door with just "Arden" written on it with Dean's handwriting. Inside she would find the following contract typed out with an impressive wax seal at the bottom of it along with a sprig of leaves:

Contract Between Dean Winchester and Arden Finch

Parties Involved:

Dean Winchester, human
Arden Finch, a mysterious humanoid with an affinity for pancakes and hashbrowns

Terms and Conditions:

Debt and Obligation Release:

Dean Winchester, hereafter referred to as the “Mortal Party,” hereby releases Arden Finch, the “Offended Party,” from any and all future debts, obligations, or transactions arising from the law of hospitality or any other law that the Mortal party is completely unaware of, supernatural or otherwise.

This release extends to any form of exchange, whether it be food, goods, or services, within the bounds of the natural and supernatural realms.

Ignorance of Law Forgiveness:

Arden Finch acknowledges that any potential obligations previously imposed upon them by the Mortal Party due to ignorance of law are hereby forgiven.

This forgiveness applies retroactively to all past interactions between the parties, regardless of the nature of the transaction.

Sealing the Contract:
The signifying object, a sprig of silverthorn, included as part of this package, is presented by Dean Winchester to Arden Finch as a token of this agreement.

Consequences of Breach:

Should Dean breach this contract, his fate will be at the mercy of Arden Finch’s whims and subject to the unpredictable currents of Fandom. He will be exiled to the rank of commoner or worse, and their freedom may be forever curtailed.

Witnessed and Sealed:

Signature: Dean Winchester
3/31/2024

[single_man_tear]

At the end of Stark's party, bouquets of flowers were given out.

Dean stole extra and left one of them outside Arden's door with a note: "Given freely without obligation or recompense needed. -Dean"

[pun_king]

Graham had left for his home in Llewdor earlier that Sunday, and, as they'd discussed at the party, after he'd had a moment to hug his mother and be thoroughly smooched and petted by her as Triumph was smooched and petted by his sisters, after being thoroughly fed almost actually to the point of being full, before the nerves of heading out to Daventry tomorrow could really settle in, Graham settled in the quiet of his childhood bedroom and pulled out his phone, taking a moment to breath out and maybe even channel a little bit of that inherent magic he had that he didn't quite understand into it before sending a text message.

Whether or not it went through, whether or not it was just his magic or the magic of Fandom or something else entirely the accomplished it if it did, he supposed he'd just have to wait and find out.

Arrived home safely! Trying to see if the phones work, at least from Llewdor! Let me know if you get this! In the meantime, enjoy some pictures of Triumph, my sisters gave him a makeover for the Tournament!! Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, everything should be all set up at Portalocity! I hope!

Love, Graham

And in addition to the text would, indeed, be many pictures of Triumph looking....generally bewildered, but very pretty and brushed and with a few ribbons in his hair. Maybe even mascara? They'd also definitely given him a manicure and painted his hooves as well! And also a picture of the banner from the party, currently proudly hanging over his bed.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Within minutes, he got a return message.

It worked! It came through! Triumph is looking very pretty and I'm so happy to see the banner. We'll be there tomorrow, can't wait to see you!

Love, Arden

[single_man_tear]

At some point a box was left outside Arden's door. It was wrapped in silver and white paper with a giant bow on it. The card read "Congratulations to the Happy Couple - DW"

[single_man_tear]

So last week's class had been somewhat... personally revealing in a few ways. So when Dean tried to send a message to Navaan it definitely went to the wrong place.

Look, I don't regret anything about that night when we flanged but I'd really appreciate it if you didn't bring it up in front of the girl I'm seeing in class tomorrow. Cool?

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[To here and here]

~oh hey phone day~

[chef_chocobro]

It had been long enough of a time since then that Ignis didn't even realize that, one of the last times this happened with the phones, he had sent out a message very similar to this one, actually, although it was far more sighing and irritated than it was amused.

"I believe your boyfriend is trying to reach you. I suggest you call him back soon, he must he quite distraught about it if he managed to somehow get me instead."

Re: ~oh hey phone day~

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[Went here and here, and bonus started this and this.]

Wacky Phone Day

[moreofaponchoguy]

[From here]

"Uh, I promise I don't need bail? And I definitely don't know anything about you and a bikini."

Re: Wacky Phone Day

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[To here and here!]

[thatwaslucky]

[From here]

This was better off in text, so he wouldn't have to deal with her trying to figure this one out.

...Am I supposed to be upset that we're just friends?

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[Went here and here]

[x_wondrous_x]

Today was...a very odd day.

"You do know what forbidding it only makes the fruit sweeter, do you not?"

Because he had absolutely no interest in having sex with Donald Blake, but he did have an interest in defying demands that told him what he could or could not do.

He'd worry about whether or not that meant actually having sex with Donald Blake later.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[It went here, here, and here]

[napking]

(From here!)

"Ugh, trust me, I know, it feels like my balls are going to explode if I don't get laid soon. But I'm not into girls like that, sorry, and I definitely wouldn't fuck you on top of a grave. That sounds very uncomfortable."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[Went here, here, and here]

[pocketpretzels]

yuo are correct, who i have sex with is none of your bsuniess.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[Flailing went here, here, and, OF COURSE, here]

[noonedecidesmyfate]

who or what is a Castiel? I've never heard of such a thing and I worry this was an insult or proposition of some kind

Leaning towards the latter based on the today of it all, honestly.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

[To here!]

Voicemail left

[sharp_man]

Good afternoon, Ms Finch. This is Doctor Hannibal Lecter. I don't believe we've actually spoken, island oddities notwithstanding, but I thought I might fix that. If you're not at all interested in psychiatry or its trappings, feel free to ignore this message. Otherwise, please let me know. Thank you.

Re: Voicemail left

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

It took Arden a day or so to figure out how to answer this - or even if she wanted to. She hadn't thought of being a therapist until the weird weekend. So then why would she return the call?

But at the same time...that Arden had been happy with what she was doing. Proud. Helping. And it wasn't that she was against being a therapist - or had anything else she was currently pursuing either.

And so she was calling Hannibal - no, Dr. Lecter. That Arden might have been on a first name basis with him, but she wasn't.

[what_big_teeth]

That Monday afternoon, Eleanor's nerves about her plans had been put temporarily aside by a startling realization that could put a damper on things and somehow make things even worse than they were already going to be. But at least that was a problem she realized she could attempt to fix without it turning into an additional disaster, and that involved texting Arden.

Hello, Arden. This is Eleanor. Do you know what kind of drink Kamala likes from the coffee shop?

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden read the message and gave a big grin. Iiiiiiiinteresting.

Huh if you hadn't said coffeeshop I'd've said red squishy from T&C. Otherwise, I know she likes a good chai.

[what_big_teeth]

Eleanor frowned a little, both at Arden's response and at the complicated menu at the Perk.

Do you think she'd like a red squishy more than a chai?

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Probably! She's always bringing us squishies as like a sign she's thinking about us so it'll probably be nice for her to get one too!

[what_big_teeth]

Eleanor read through that and nodded, feeling very glad she thought to ask Arden for advice after all.

Okay. Thank you.

She thought about it a moment longer before adding:

Also, I'm bringing rum and I'm sure you already would, but if you have anything in the radio notes tomorrow, could you be discreet, please?

It didn't hurt, with something like this, to at least try and be thorough.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

You got it, girl. Anything that does get through the rum won't get past me, promise.

And, a moment later,
We're karaoke partners. In some cultures, that's an unbreakable bond, you know. Karaoke girls always stick together!

[slothbabyproductions]

Dropped off in front of Arden's door was a box with her name on it.

Inside was a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies (the secret ingredient is nutmeg), a batch of nan khatai cookies,mix mithai and... six pairs of athletic socks.

Along with a note:
Arden,

We thought you might need a little something to make your day. (Also everyone needs socks) From our family to yours! Enjoy Yusuf's sweet tea! He so enjoyed making it for you.

-Muneeba

And another note:
I got rid of the sweet tea. Just tell my Abbu you loved it.

-K

[what_big_teeth]

Eleanor's afternoon had just gone from adorable and sweet, to disappointing but still adorable, and she figured she better at least loop Arden in so that she didn't worry too much.

Hi, Arden. It's Eleanor. I just wanted to let you know that Kamala turned into a sloth today while I was visiting her at work, but don't worry about it, I'll keep an eye on her until she's back to herself. I was wondering if you knew of anything she might need, though, in the meantime? Thanks.

And, yes, it didn't occur to her that Arden would find out eventually tomorrow during radio until after she sent the text, but, well, better she heard it sooner and from her than later and from a drunken squirrel.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Let me know if I can help? I have experience with Graham being a goose. But uh...I have no idea what sloths eat. Is it eucalyptus? I could bring you her sloth napping pillow?

[slothbabyproductions]

So what kind of text do you send your bestie after being a sloth all week?

Hi! I’m no longer a furry adorable creature! Did I miss anything?

Apparently that. And also a the following text:

And I’m not saying I’m adorable. I’m not that person who proclaims to be adorable so everyone has to acknowledge that because I don’t do that. (A girl at my high school did that and it was gross and awkward) I’m just saying that baby sloths are inherently adorable and I was one for a week.

[slothbabyproductions]

Late on Friday night, Kamala finally got some time to herself and texted Arden.

OMG! Today was incredible! Come to my room when you have a chance! I have big news! Also I have all your ramen from my parents.

[carbsliftthespirit]

After Raiden's class got back today, a moddable care package of Vermont-produced treats was delivered to Arden at the boarding house. Hope you liked apple cider donuts, Arden! And Raiden was sure you could figure out something to do with all that cheese.

A lot of cheese always made him feel better, anyway.

[unusual_sith]

Hello, Arden, this is Lana. Radio said you were ill, and you missed our trip today, so I thought I'd check in and see how you were doing. If you need some healing, please let me know.

[wildgalegirl]

Arden! Par de la Chute Montmorency! We have to go! It has a 300 meter double zip line over the falls!

[moreofaponchoguy]

Outside of Arden's door was a methodical tapping noise and the sound of something scurrying away after delivering a hot chocolate and a note that said "It's still cold out there. Just thinking of you. Stay warm!"

[hasaknightjob]

Time zones between worlds were such a funny thing. But sometime not too long after the delivery of flowers arrived at their cabin, Steven sent a text.

Thank you for the flowers. Such a lovely gesture! We appreciated them.

Arden probably knew the "we" was largely Steven and Llewellyn because otherwise that required Marc to acknowledge things. Which Arden already knew Marc didn't do, of course.